Following the well-attended (and incident-free) one-day series between India and Pakistan - the first since the Mumbai terror attacks of November 2008 - the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf, suggested that the two countries play each other regularly, for what might be called the Jinnah-Gandhi Trophy. Reading this, I remembered a similar proposal being made, decades ago, in the pages of the Dawn newspaper. I dug out my notes, and this is what I found:

In 1955, an Indian team led by Vinoo Mankad, toured Pakistan for a series of five Tests. It was now seven years since Partition. The wounds had begun to heal. A Karachi Hindu, writing to the newspapers, said the warm reception the team received spoke for "a changed feeling for the better between India and Pakistan now, which is very good and will be helpful for both countries". Illustrating this changed feeling, some 10,000 Indian fans crossed the Wagah border to watch the Lahore Test - including many Sikhs and Hindus who had been forced to flee West Punjab in 1947.

The cricket, unfortunately, was dull, the two sides battling one another to five dreary draws. Still, the warmth of public sentiment encouraged cricket lovers on both sides of the border to urge the regular exchange of teams. The (pompous and self-regarding) Indian commentator Vizzy suggested that India and Pakistan have their own Ashes, the trophy containing soil from both countries. An ordinary cricket fan, Sheikh Khan Bahadur, had a more original proposal. The two teams, he said in a letter to Dawn, should play for a Gandhi-Jinnah Trophy, for a shield with embossed portraits based on "photographs or corresponding postures of the two great statesmen together".

The letter by Sheikh Khan Bahadur - and the context behind it - is mentioned in my book A Corner of a Foreign Field. However, in my experience few cricketers read books, and even fewer cricket administrators do. So we may assume that in making his proposal, Ashraf almost certainly did not know that it had been made 67 years previously. In any case, there is one telling difference - while the man in the street in Pakistan asked for a Gandhi-Jinnah Trophy (probably since "G" comes before "J"), the chairman of the PCB suggests that we have a Jinnah-Gandhi Trophy.

The proposal made for regular tours in the mid-1950s ran aground. Pakistan came here in 1960-61, then two wars intervened. Cricket ties were resumed in 1978, but, ever since, have been hostage to the deep political animosities between the two countries. Through the 1980s and 1990s, whenever India played Pakistan, the fans of both sides would display their jingoism in abundant measure. I carry a painful memory of standing to applaud Javed Miandad in Bangalore, after he had played his last innings in international cricket. I was the only man to do so in my stand. The feelings of the others summed up by a fellow who said: "Thank God I shall never see the bastard again." (I should mention that Javed was not yet, in 1996, an in-law of Dawood Ibrahim - he was merely a great cricketer.)

In recent years, however, Indians fans have become more mature, focusing on the cricket rather than seeing it as a substitute for politics (or war). When Pakistan won a Test in Bangalore in 2005, those in the Chinnaswamy Stadium were quite happy to cheer Inzamam and his men. Sanjay Manjrekar - in my view the most intelligent as well as the most independent-minded of Indian player-commentators - thought that it was because Indians were now less anxious about their nation's survival and their individual futures. They no longer worried that the Union would break up into many parts under the malign influence of Pakistan. Khalistan was dead, and the Kashmir issue had gone off the boil. Meanwhile, a decade and a half of steady economic growth had pulled many more Indians into the middle class.

I think Manjrekar's analysis is persuasive. That this time, too, Indian fans and crowds took defeat at the hands of Pakistan so calmly spoke of a new, and very welcome, ability to separate sport from national pride. Dhoni's men had been conquered by Misbah's, a fact not remotely comparable to the Indian army losing to the Pakistani army (or vice versa). This was a battle played in enclosed stadia, not on exposed mountain tops, and fought with bat and ball, not tanks and bombs.

Cricket between India and Pakistan is best played and best enjoyed when it is saved from the contaminating influence of politics. So let's leave Jinnah and Gandhi (or Gandhi and Jinnah) out of it

In this changed climate, we may indeed push for regular tours between the two sides. And since the first Test between India and Pakistan was played as long as 60 years ago, it may be time a formal arrangement is put in place, and a named trophy contested for. But where I depart from Ashraf (and the now forgotten Sheikh Bahadur Khan) is in what this trophy should be called. To the idea of naming it for the fathers of their nations there are two serious objections. One is cricketing - neither Gandhi nor Jinnah really had much interest in the sport. The other is political - namely, whose name should come first?

Cricket between India and Pakistan - or between Pakistan and India, if you will - is best played and best enjoyed when it is saved from the contaminating influence of politics. So let's leave Jinnah and Gandhi (or Gandhi and Jinnah) out of it.

Whom then could the trophy be named for? The Lata-Noor Jehan Trophy, to take account of the other great popular passion of the two nations? The Iqbal-Tagore Trophy, to honour their two great writer-thinkers?

These suggestions may be less contentious than the one offered by the PCB chairman, yet they are not entirely satisfactory either. It seems best to name a cricketing trophy after cricketers. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (for Australia-India series) and the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy (for Australia-Sri Lanka series) are both wonderfully named. One could, in the same spirit, think of an Imran-Kapil Dev Trophy, or a Kumble-Wasim Trophy for India-Pakistan contests, the first honouring a pair of great allrounders, the second a pair of match-winning bowlers.

Or one could think of naming this trophy after a single cricketer alone. Here, too, there are precedents - the Frank Worrell Trophy for Australia-West Indies contests, the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy for England-South Africa series. I think we should follow the latter model and promote a Sachin Tendulkar Trophy. No man has defined India-Pakistan cricket in the way that he has. Or for so long - he first played Pakistan in a Test match in 1989, and he most recently played against Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final of March 2011. For 22 years, in all forms of the game and at all venues, how much Sachin scored and when he got out often decided which way the match would go. Some of his greatest innings have been played against Pakistan - several in a losing cause, as in that epic hundred in Chennai, when, after they won by a mere 12 runs, Wasim and his team had the Chepauk crowd rise to them.

I think many Pakistanis will be content with a trophy named for Tendulkar alone. For their fans and cricketers venerate the man and his game. I remember the late Raj Singh Dungarpur telling me how, at a reception at Buckingham Palace during the 1999 World Cup, the young Pakistani players merely wanted to be in the presence of Sachin, to touch his blazer and be photographed with him. For its part, the Pakistan board knows that Tendulkar, apart from being the cricketer of his age, is in personal matters completely uncontroversial. I think would accept this proposal gracefully too. Let the announcement be made forthwith.

Historian and cricket writer Ramachandra Guha is the author of A Corner of A Foreign Field and Wickets in the East among other books

I would say we need not be hostage to history. We have very good role models from both sides in the recent past - who are gentlemen as well as world class cricketers. My suggestion would be Rahul-Wasim (or Wasim-Rahul, I like Wasim Akram enough to not mind his name coming first). These are two cricketers who represent the best talent our countries have produced with outstanding achievements in their careers - who have been exceptional both on and off the field - in words and in deeds. But the most differentiating characterestic which is a winner for me is their modesty and humbleness. Let them be the role models all young people from both sides aspire to.

POSTED BY
vikram_chandrasekar
on | January 9, 2013, 4:50 GMT

Naming the trophy as the Kapil-Imran trophy would be ideal, honoring the best all round players from both sides...in case it is to be named after a single person, it would then have to be someone associated with both countries in some way or the other...this would necessarily mean someone who has played for pre partition undivided india...naming the trophy as the mohammed nissar trophy would be ideal under this criterion...mohammed nissar played in india's very first test and was a fearsome fast bowler during his time. Even though his international career ended before partition, he did play domestic cricket in pakistan (where he migrated after partition) for southern punjab until 1954.

POSTED BY
ejsiddiqui
on | January 9, 2013, 4:38 GMT

I would go for Imran-Kapil Trophy. These are the two of the best which respective countries have produced. An India Pakistan match is nothing less than the best from both the sides.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:36 GMT

Thanks much for sharing your thoughts and insight, Mr. Guha! I'm a Pakistani who, like millions across the world, feels captivated by the charm and allure of the game of cricket. As you opined, naming the Ind-Pak trophy is indeed a great idea, and naming it after Sachin Ramesh is for sure a tribute to his, and his generation's, cricketing legacy. Peace! P.S: Loved your idea of Lata-Noor Jehan trophy! Indeed a blissful commemoration of two shining stars!

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2013, 19:49 GMT

Indo-Pak cricket is a always a controvercial always. It is always difficult to convince the people of both side for a perfect name for both country cricket series. Every name is controvertial here. so i think this series should be named to some thing that is a great plus for both contries and that is what the relation between the two icons one from India- Sania Mirza & one from Pakistan-Shoaib Malik. There is no controvercy in these names. So, i think this series should be named as Shoaib-Sania series or Malik-Mirza series be cause this is the only thing that is only thing which is positive in both countries and which is warmly welcomed in both countries.

POSTED BY
NuruddinLakhani
on | January 12, 2013, 11:19 GMT

No political names - and there are many legendary players from 80s/90s; but I prefer KARDAR-AMARNATH trophy as they were the first captains (1952 series).

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2013, 10:04 GMT

I would agree with the author that the name should not be Gandhi-Jinnah or Jinnah-Gandhi but I think he got it all wrong by suggesting that it should be named after Sachin. He is a fine cricket and his stats speak for himself but his stats against Pakistan are not superior then the rest. Let's see ..

- 18 tests against Pak with the average 42.28 (Two 100's, highest 194)

Mhd Yousuf
- 15 tests against India with the average of 49.88 (Four 100's, highest 173)

I almost forgot ...

Javed Miandad
- 28 tests against India with the average of 67.51 (Five 100's, highest 280)

And ..

Zaheed Abbas
- 19 tests against India with the average of 87 (Six 100's, highest 235)

Even Imran Khan as an allrounder has an average of 51.95 against India and three 100's.

But still I wouldn't suggest naming the trophy after any of the above. Keep it simple, Indo-Pak Trophy :)

POSTED BY
jay57870
on | January 12, 2013, 2:55 GMT

Guha - In a rare tribute to Sachin Tendulkar after his ODI retirement, TIME Magazine proclaimed: "It seems while Time was having his toll on every individual on the face of this planet, he excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will." So, your suggestion to name the India-Pakistan trophy after Sachin is well taken. However, he's uniquely singular: He belongs to the whole planet. He has defined international cricket! That's why to confine his name to just the India-Pakistan series would not be proper. Maybe the future World Cup for Tests might fit the bill. But that's a topic for another day. Only after he fully retires from cricket!

POSTED BY
remnant
on | January 11, 2013, 17:36 GMT

I was almost taken in by the article before the writer gave his real point away in lobbying for SRT. Well I'm Indian and recognize his cricketing achievements and service to Indian cricket, however this looks more like an attempt to hoist another brand for Tendulkar, who can very well do without this needless marketing. He is still contemporary and it would be unfair and uncalled for anyone to expect Pakistan to just let the title be accorded to him. Its better go with Imran-Kapil trophy or something that appeals to our common heritage in a positive manner. If there nothing then we may just call it: Ummeed Trophy - on the hope of a better future for our nations!

POSTED BY
CricketPissek
on | January 11, 2013, 9:23 GMT

I'm a Sri Lankan living in England, so I'm very much unbiased about this topic.
Personally, I like the idea of a The Kashmir trophy but this will annoy both sides in all likelihood!

POSTED BY
thegoodgame
on | January 10, 2013, 6:08 GMT

I would say we need not be hostage to history. We have very good role models from both sides in the recent past - who are gentlemen as well as world class cricketers. My suggestion would be Rahul-Wasim (or Wasim-Rahul, I like Wasim Akram enough to not mind his name coming first). These are two cricketers who represent the best talent our countries have produced with outstanding achievements in their careers - who have been exceptional both on and off the field - in words and in deeds. But the most differentiating characterestic which is a winner for me is their modesty and humbleness. Let them be the role models all young people from both sides aspire to.

POSTED BY
vikram_chandrasekar
on | January 9, 2013, 4:50 GMT

Naming the trophy as the Kapil-Imran trophy would be ideal, honoring the best all round players from both sides...in case it is to be named after a single person, it would then have to be someone associated with both countries in some way or the other...this would necessarily mean someone who has played for pre partition undivided india...naming the trophy as the mohammed nissar trophy would be ideal under this criterion...mohammed nissar played in india's very first test and was a fearsome fast bowler during his time. Even though his international career ended before partition, he did play domestic cricket in pakistan (where he migrated after partition) for southern punjab until 1954.

POSTED BY
ejsiddiqui
on | January 9, 2013, 4:38 GMT

I would go for Imran-Kapil Trophy. These are the two of the best which respective countries have produced. An India Pakistan match is nothing less than the best from both the sides.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:36 GMT

Thanks much for sharing your thoughts and insight, Mr. Guha! I'm a Pakistani who, like millions across the world, feels captivated by the charm and allure of the game of cricket. As you opined, naming the Ind-Pak trophy is indeed a great idea, and naming it after Sachin Ramesh is for sure a tribute to his, and his generation's, cricketing legacy. Peace! P.S: Loved your idea of Lata-Noor Jehan trophy! Indeed a blissful commemoration of two shining stars!

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2013, 19:49 GMT

Indo-Pak cricket is a always a controvercial always. It is always difficult to convince the people of both side for a perfect name for both country cricket series. Every name is controvertial here. so i think this series should be named to some thing that is a great plus for both contries and that is what the relation between the two icons one from India- Sania Mirza & one from Pakistan-Shoaib Malik. There is no controvercy in these names. So, i think this series should be named as Shoaib-Sania series or Malik-Mirza series be cause this is the only thing that is only thing which is positive in both countries and which is warmly welcomed in both countries.

POSTED BY
NuruddinLakhani
on | January 12, 2013, 11:19 GMT

No political names - and there are many legendary players from 80s/90s; but I prefer KARDAR-AMARNATH trophy as they were the first captains (1952 series).

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2013, 10:04 GMT

I would agree with the author that the name should not be Gandhi-Jinnah or Jinnah-Gandhi but I think he got it all wrong by suggesting that it should be named after Sachin. He is a fine cricket and his stats speak for himself but his stats against Pakistan are not superior then the rest. Let's see ..

- 18 tests against Pak with the average 42.28 (Two 100's, highest 194)

Mhd Yousuf
- 15 tests against India with the average of 49.88 (Four 100's, highest 173)

I almost forgot ...

Javed Miandad
- 28 tests against India with the average of 67.51 (Five 100's, highest 280)

And ..

Zaheed Abbas
- 19 tests against India with the average of 87 (Six 100's, highest 235)

Even Imran Khan as an allrounder has an average of 51.95 against India and three 100's.

But still I wouldn't suggest naming the trophy after any of the above. Keep it simple, Indo-Pak Trophy :)

POSTED BY
jay57870
on | January 12, 2013, 2:55 GMT

Guha - In a rare tribute to Sachin Tendulkar after his ODI retirement, TIME Magazine proclaimed: "It seems while Time was having his toll on every individual on the face of this planet, he excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will." So, your suggestion to name the India-Pakistan trophy after Sachin is well taken. However, he's uniquely singular: He belongs to the whole planet. He has defined international cricket! That's why to confine his name to just the India-Pakistan series would not be proper. Maybe the future World Cup for Tests might fit the bill. But that's a topic for another day. Only after he fully retires from cricket!

POSTED BY
remnant
on | January 11, 2013, 17:36 GMT

I was almost taken in by the article before the writer gave his real point away in lobbying for SRT. Well I'm Indian and recognize his cricketing achievements and service to Indian cricket, however this looks more like an attempt to hoist another brand for Tendulkar, who can very well do without this needless marketing. He is still contemporary and it would be unfair and uncalled for anyone to expect Pakistan to just let the title be accorded to him. Its better go with Imran-Kapil trophy or something that appeals to our common heritage in a positive manner. If there nothing then we may just call it: Ummeed Trophy - on the hope of a better future for our nations!

POSTED BY
CricketPissek
on | January 11, 2013, 9:23 GMT

I'm a Sri Lankan living in England, so I'm very much unbiased about this topic.
Personally, I like the idea of a The Kashmir trophy but this will annoy both sides in all likelihood!

POSTED BY
skki
on | January 11, 2013, 3:57 GMT

Mr Guha I would suggest you to first write a column to pursuade BCCI to accept the proposal of playing series, naming the trophy comes later. Rejecting to play even on neutral venue is astonishing. BCCI said they will tour Pakistan when Australia comes to Pakistan. Well if we buy this idea of following Australia footstep, then Australia has played Pakistan home series on neutral venue, why BCCI have problem in playing on neutral venue.
Also on a widely read sports website, you laid a serious alegation on Pakistan "Union would break up into many parts under the malign influence of Pakistan." Columns on Cricinfo is read by millions around the world and this politically influenced allegation sends wrong message. I strongly protest and asked this to be removed.
From suggesting the name (Tendulkar) to asking us to accept it "gracefully" to make the announcement immediately, you look in a hurry. Relax, We have lot time to suggest the name as BCCI is no hurry in accepting the proposal.

POSTED BY
siddiqi
on | January 11, 2013, 0:12 GMT

Obviously Imran-Kapil Trophy. No one come close to these 2 legends..

POSTED BY
spinkingKK
on | January 10, 2013, 23:52 GMT

Gavaskar's name is there in Border-Gavaskar trophy. So, Kapil-Imran trophy will be the ideal one. India-Pak rivalry was there long before Tendulkar. So, Kapil-Imran is more apt. Also, they were two of the four most wonderful all-rounders who all played in the same era.

POSTED BY
sirviv
on | January 10, 2013, 23:14 GMT

India revolutionized its game under MAK Pataudi. Pakistan were most inspired through the leadership of AH Kardar, the very first captain of Pak. In my opinion, just call it the Tiger-Kardar, or Pataudi-Kardar trophy.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 22:47 GMT

How about Hanif Sachin ? The two greatest batsmen on both sides

POSTED BY
honey-lotion
on | January 10, 2013, 20:58 GMT

I like Sachin. But the idea is far from being acceptable. When such rivalry exists, either do it with two stalwarts from two sides or the idea of Javed Helali is also good (Dosti trophy).

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 19:45 GMT

A neutral name would be the best. Dosti, Amity, friendship etcJ
aved helali

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 18:49 GMT

I am not sure that Pakistan fans will like a "Tendulkar" trophy... we can't predict future relations between these two countries - if they worsen, this thing would be the first to be impacted...
Lets build up things slowly so that both the countries are satisfied.. Ravi Shastri and Wasim Akram have formed great partnerships in the past..The SHAZ-WAZ show seemed pretty decent and fun and miles away from politics... and frankly, we haven't given enough credit to Ravi Shastri... so - Akram- Shastri trophy seems ideal - signifies fun and cricket...

POSTED BY
Abdullah1991
on | January 10, 2013, 18:06 GMT

Why not "Wasim-Waqar" trophy. They also played alot against India. But of course it will never satisfy fans in India.

POSTED BY
Desihungama
on | January 10, 2013, 18:05 GMT

@Meety- What Meety you missed my comments from January 9th?. Kardar is one name that's got to feature if a trophy is to be named after a cricketers. Kardar's impact on cricket was far more than Imran Khan.

POSTED BY
Desihungama
on | January 10, 2013, 17:57 GMT

I am surprised no one has brought one name that is equally revered in both countries Bhagat Singh? What an appropriate name to called a Bhagat Singh Trophy. But on a more cynical note, I would call it Lord Mountbatten Trophy. Tribute to our colonial masters? After it this is Cricket?

POSTED BY
Shan156
on | January 10, 2013, 17:53 GMT

@IndiaRulesEverybody, yes, Sachin is bigger than world cup. But, considering that he has been part of only one world cup winning team and McGrath, Gilchrist, Ponting, et. al. have been part of 3, I think they should be bigger than Sachin and, obviously, bigger than the world cup too.

POSTED BY
absha1
on | January 10, 2013, 17:01 GMT

@IndiaRulesEverybody
Just as Shoaib was for Sachin - Look, everybody has a bad day at the office. Batsmen have a bad day at the office and can look very silly - Lara was castled by Waqar, Sachin by Shoaib, Gavaskar lost his marbles in his first one day innings; bowlers have a bad day at the office Ambrose hit for a six, Waqar wiped off the floor, that is the game.
Point is, naming this trophy after Tendulkar, who incidentally has fared worst against Pakistan, is silly. Frankly, Imran - Gavaskar makes sense. Pakistani all-rounder versus Indian batsman, same era, both clearly at the top in their respective areas of expertise. Imran - Kapil makes equal sense: all-rounders, WC winning captains. Imran - Tendulkar would have made sense if Tendulkar had retired immediately following the WC victory, but then not all of us retain the sense of timing in our twilight years. Akram- Tendulkar might make sense, but more for a One-Day trophy. The test trophy has to be named after the 80s icons.

POSTED BY
AbrarAhmed
on | January 10, 2013, 16:49 GMT

Why not call it the "Concordia" cup to mirror the name given (with supreme irony) to the border region in Kashmir?

POSTED BY
asb27
on | January 10, 2013, 16:22 GMT

I suggest Amar Singh-Mohammed Nissar Trophy after the first new ball pair to represent the Indian sub-continent in tests.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 15:59 GMT

How about this:
Chetan-Miandad trophy or for Indian fans, V Parsad-Aamir Sohail Trophy.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 15:29 GMT

I would name it "Sachin Tedulkar Trophy" Excellence at work!

POSTED BY
hotsparkles
on | January 10, 2013, 14:45 GMT

I don't think any Pakistani fan would accept playing just a 'Sachin Trophy'. Yes he was a good player - but he is not worshipped and loved like he is in India. He is just considered another good batsman. An 'Imran-Kapil' trophy sounds more suitable. Imran Khan is idolised in Pakistan!

POSTED BY
KaiserNadeem
on | January 10, 2013, 14:31 GMT

How about peace cup? As both nations are looking for peace between them through cricket.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 14:06 GMT

the problem is, this trophy may not get played for long times in between..no matter what the name is.let it be tournament to tournament only, Airtel is fine

POSTED BY
farazzubair
on | January 10, 2013, 13:08 GMT

Naming it only after one individual is not a practical situation in case of India and Pakistan. Worrell defined characteristic honesty and was well taken at both ends, something people in India and Pakistan would not take.It has to be two players and my suggestion is that if it has to be based on players who have defined the spirit then if its Sachin from India, it has been Miandad from Pakistan as your article also points out. In case the series has to be named after two individuals we should define it with the two players who have truely defined the spirit of clashes between Pakistan and India. Miandad-Tendulkar. Its not a co-incidence that the six that both of them hit in crunch matches are called defining moments of the spirit between the two countries. Miandad's 6 at Sharjah that initiated Pakistan's dominance and Sachin's six off Shoaib Akhtar which initiated India's dominance over Pakistan for the next 7-8 years. Defining moments should allow these two to carry the mantle.

POSTED BY
CricIndia208
on | January 10, 2013, 12:27 GMT

It should be named Joginder-Misbah trophy or Harbhajan-Amir cup!

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 11:20 GMT

How about Miandad-Chetan trophy? :)

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 10:51 GMT

there is one more thing we share together as nations .. that is .. Independence .. so why dont we call it .. Indepence trophy ..... Independence from corrupt politians from both sides .. Independence of Cricket Fans who want to see both countries play as often as they can .. Independence from money making cricketing Boards .. And above All Independence of Cricket !

POSTED BY
ejsiddiqui
on | January 10, 2013, 10:31 GMT

Why not Kardar-Mansoor or Mansoor-Kardar Trophy after the name of the two legendary cricketers Abdul Hafeez Kardar and Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Patodi.

POSTED BY
ovshake
on | January 10, 2013, 10:28 GMT

Doesn't the Abdul Hafeez Kardar Trophy make more sense?

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 10:13 GMT

it shud be wasim akram trophy simply, the greatest cricketer ever of all times

POSTED BY
rhythmactor
on | January 10, 2013, 9:56 GMT

Now a 'dialogue' on what the trophy should be called? Coming to consensus is the biggest challenge in both India and Pakistan. I think there should be no name given to the trophy just to remind ourselves that focus should be on larger issues than naming a trophy.

On a different note, my pov is not aimed against Mr. Guha who is simply fantastic in his profession.

POSTED BY
ObjectiveCricketism
on | January 10, 2013, 9:03 GMT

Mr. Guha's article is on an excellent topic. But his views are poorly thought out. The trophy should definitely be named after Imran and Kapil. Politicians and superficial people may not like it. But it is the ideal choice as so many have already pointed out.

POSTED BY
A_Yorkshire_Lad
on | January 10, 2013, 8:52 GMT

@wakaPAK - thanks , glad you like the idea ! As to the name of the colour , I just googled blue/green to see what would come up ; I thought Cerulean was more appropriate than cyan , teal or turquoise. Cheers !

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 8:27 GMT

How about 'Lance Naik Hemraj - Sudharkar Singh ashes'?

POSTED BY
ooper_cut
on | January 10, 2013, 8:25 GMT

The LOC cup. No, not what you are thinking. The Love of Cricket cup.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 7:53 GMT

Second thing about the name. whenever you will suggest a two name trophy the issue will come whose name should come first..like Imran-Kapil or Kapil-Imran, Wasim-kumble or kumble-Wasim even lata-Noor jehan or Noor jehan-lata. And when you talk about naming it to a single person why dont u suggest Kardar Trophy (after Abdul Hafeez Kardar who played for both countries) or not Solely Wasim Akram Trophy ( As all of us know how much influence and respect Wasim Akram has in indian cricket and india). So when you suggest solely sachin trophy you show ur biasness.u Although sachin is having his fan following in pakistan too but dont forget there's a vast majority in pak which thinks sachin is a kind of selfish player. So what about the sentiments of those cricket lovers in pak?? If you say sachin influenced indian cricket you might be right..but case is not the same for pakistan. u criticised Zaka Ashraf proposal (did't see his positive intention) but u urself given an impractical option.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 6:46 GMT

hmm , although i dont care about the series name! i just want a series to be played between the nations. and this whole new fiasco of naming the series will create more controversies than the players playing in it!. On the other hand , it will be a huge honour for any two players from the nations. (dis agreeing with naming it after only one). If naming it my priority for names will be (if not used already for any other series) 1- The borderline series/trophy , 2- The Peace Series/trophy , 3- Naydu-Kardar series/trophy 4- Dev-Khan series/trophy 5-The nations cup 6- The Rivalry Series/trophy 7- Boundary series/trophy with all respect to everyone

POSTED BY
sherishahmir
on | January 10, 2013, 6:03 GMT

Great ideas, better to name the trophy for co players rather for single player, like Imran-Kapil ,Gavaskar-Miandad or Inzi-Tandulkar, we Pakistani r having great respect for Tendulkar as one of the all time greatest batsman and on top the great ambassador of game, keeping view the poor domestic infrastructure of sub continent cricket, where no player have any idea at all about his cricket future despite the amount of talent possess and only bcaz of sheer luck one can gets the opportunity to select and perform not like the players of Australia,Eng and SA. In that scenario player like Sachin who got passion for cricket while watching game sitting outside fence at v young age & performed superbly in international arena since 1988 without any dispute/fuss. We all should be proud of him though while watching PakIndia matches we become emotional and patriotic, but we all should be objective, realistic and neutral while appreciate talent and performances of both teams.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | January 10, 2013, 5:08 GMT

Just a quick note - I didn't see that the Kardar idea had been mentioned long before my comment.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 5:04 GMT

Does it make any difference to cricket?? why start a new controversy...there are plenty already.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 4:56 GMT

Why should be named after any cricketer - past or present. It can best be called Indo-Pak trophy!

POSTED BY
wakaPAK
on | January 10, 2013, 4:12 GMT

@A_Yorkshire_Lad that is an awesome suggestion but does blue and green mix make it Cerulean or Cyan? or both are the same?

POSTED BY
wakaPAK
on | January 10, 2013, 3:37 GMT

And how about Himalayan Cup? It's a chain of mountains that binds the two countries together and Indus and Ganges arise from this range. It has extreme cultural and climatic effect on the subcontinent. It has shaped the subcontinental climate by hiding us from the cold arctic winds. The height of the peaks represent our emotions and aspirations. Nanga Parbat lies in Pakistan something we can boast of and the name Himalaya has a religious significance for a majority of Indian people. and it also sounds like Hima Malini... Ok before the Indians start taking it seriously, the last sentence was intended as joke. Please cricinfo publish this one at least; I have been a good boy in this one.

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 3:11 GMT

Lets make it neutral and lets go to the roots of India & Pakistan and name it " Indus trophy"?

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 3:11 GMT

Thanks Khurram S Chaudhry. :)

POSTED BY
sandeep1978
on | January 10, 2013, 3:10 GMT

Why not call it the 'Kabhi haan, kabhi naa ' trophy?

POSTED BY
wakaPAK
on | January 10, 2013, 2:45 GMT

Seriously guys, name it after an Indian, I dont care, I just want matches against India not yearly though because it loses it's spice if played every year, every second year will be great.
Oh and if you want a real unbiased name, you can call it "People's cup" or in Urdu "Awami Cup", as it is a game between people of the subcontinent rather than two teams of 11 players and perhaps the most watched cricket series in the world in terms of audience number.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | January 10, 2013, 2:24 GMT

I am an outsider wishing to make a suggestion or three!. How about calling it the Abdul Kardar Hafeez Trophy? This would be naming it after a bloke who debuted for India, then captained Pakistan after partition. He wanted to expand cricket thru Asia. So whilst he was mainly a Paki, IMO he spanned both countries & that would be kind of unifying. Failing that - why not just call it the Indo-Paki Trophy??? I must admit - the thought of it being named after Imran Kan & Kapil Dev would be awesome.

POSTED BY
bouncer1021
on | January 10, 2013, 2:17 GMT

Combine IPL, PPL, BPL, SLPL,... into one T20 leage. Have every two year Taj Mehal trophy between India and Pak playing 5 ODIs and three tests.

POSTED BY
ahtriniting
on | January 10, 2013, 1:25 GMT

As a West Indian the name Imran-Kapil cup reflects the allround cricket that was played and also the captains who both brought world cup victory to both countries during my lifetime. (Which name goes first ~ have a toss). If not then why not take some dirt from both countries seal it in a cup and call it the Salaam Cup

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 1:23 GMT

I'm a big fan of Sachin, but I have to agree with people here who are calling for Imran Khan and Kapil Dev's names to be used on the trophy. They were both gifted yet hardworking cricketers who dragged their respective countries to the top with them.

POSTED BY
Nampally
on | January 10, 2013, 1:11 GMT

Indo Pakistan trophy is the easiest & should be acceptable to all. Why not call it what it is instead of fancy names/

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 1:09 GMT

I agree with message 1.

I suggest one retired/dead Pakistani cricketer and one similarly credentialed Indian cricketer who have no trophies named after them be named together for this trophy to foster goodwill. Players who have not retired either as players or coaches should not be considered in my opinion.

Other contenders for Pakistani names might then be Wasim Akram or Hanif Mohammed. Some other contenders for the Indian joint name could be Anil Kumble and Sourev Ganguly.

I am sure you all can suggest others.

POSTED BY
Surajdon9
on | January 10, 2013, 0:54 GMT

What a joke?Kumble-Wasim Trophy?Kumble and wasim together ??????Ha ha ha ha.Kumble and wasim at same height.he he he i still can't believe it.it sould be Imran trophy alone....

POSTED BY
on | January 10, 2013, 0:48 GMT

How about the Asif Iqbal Trophy? (Snort of laughter. I can't forget Asif's discomfiture in 1979 when Pataudi asked him, with a straight face, if he was planning to change countries again.)

POSTED BY
Harmony111
on | January 10, 2013, 0:44 GMT

@getsetgopk:

Setting aside the article's sense here and whether the trophy should be named after Sachin or not, regarding your this comment ... "between 1989 and 1999, he didn't play test cricket against Pak, that was the peak era of Wasim and Waqar, the best bowlers of the time..."

Well, you should note that that was the peak time of Sachin too, the best batsman of the time (by some distance). I could turn it around and say that the 2 W's were lucky to go unpunished by Sachin who might have completely crushed them had he faced them. We all saw what the great man did even when he was half-fit in Chennai 98. He faced them all in WC 03 and ate them for appetizer. Even a 19 yr old SRT won MoM in WC 92 vs the Ws.

Note that Sachin's avg in 90s was 58, he was 1 of the only 3 batsmen to avg 50+ in that decade. The others: S Waugh/Lara were way behind @53/52. So Sachin was #1 by a great margin the the time period you talk about.

Maybe an irresistible force meeting an immovable block :-p

POSTED BY
India_Rules_Everybody
on | January 10, 2013, 0:28 GMT

@Absha1: I agree with Waqar. Tendulkar was not the toughest batsman he bowled to, Ajay Jadeja was! :)

Calling it the Kashmir Trophy - with the best will in the world , won't that just re-ignite all the antagonism and jingoism that has blighted the place for so long ?

I have a suggestion : India play in blue , Pakistan in green . So , why not a name that reflects both traditions ? How about the Cerulean Cup (or Trophy or whatever) , or just The Cerulean ? Are there any other words for blue/green in the sub-continent languages that might be a bit more poetic ? And , instead of it being a piece of brash silverware , how about , say , some sort of mini-statue of an abstract form of a cricketer, fashioned in blue/green marble ? So , like the Ashes , it would be something that relates to the two sides without any direct call on either , and would do without all this squabbling over whose name comes first , or indeed which names would be chosen at all. Just a thought !

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 22:44 GMT

There will never be such a trophy that people can only dream about given the continued incidents that break trust between the two nations. It's rightly said that certain things are better left undiscussed... Similarly, India is better not playing any such Trophy, not now, not ever. A country that cannot host any compititive games is not allowed to play anywhere else. Should be banned by ICC. Cricket lovers can watch Ashes, ENG-SA, AUS-SA, AUS-IND etc

POSTED BY
yorkshire-86
on | January 9, 2013, 22:40 GMT

Tendulkar too young as he is still playing? Shane Warne and Murali are both still playing too!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 21:39 GMT

Great ideas but since it is cricket, so trophy should also be named after cricket Legends. Sachin is too young to be named after as they say "Time converts a great man into Legend." So, lets time pass to witness his status converting to Legend. In my opinion, Imran-Kapil trophy (alphabetically) will be the ultimate name.

POSTED BY
robbec
on | January 9, 2013, 21:26 GMT

Naming this trophy 'Kashmir' could become a recipe of peace. Trophy will not stay in one nation's hand forever. Over time Kashmir (the trophy) will become more important than the land Kashmir. No more wars, just cricket.

POSTED BY
absha1
on | January 9, 2013, 21:16 GMT

Considering the fact that neither Wasim nor Waqar seem to rate Tendulkar the toughest batsmen they ever bowled to, this either a really silly article, an obtuse article, or a deliberately provocative one.
Why not call it the Shoaib Akhtar Trophy, Mr Guha?

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 21:08 GMT

How about Shoab Akhtar - Shreesant trophy? named after the two comedian cricketers from both sides? ;)

Or we could call it Shoaib Malik trophy, he is surely a symbol of unity between the two countries? :)

on a serious note, I like the idea posted by Sultan Sheheryar. It should be named after the captains from both sides in their first ever test. and Amarnath - Kardar were no ordinary men, they are legends as good as they come.

Imran-Kapil trophy also makes more sense because I feel they truly did help shape the future of cricket in these countries.

Sachin is a great player and a true legend but had he influenced the cricketing minds of Pakistan, it'd have produced more quality batsmen. Pakistan is a land of bowlers inspired by Sarfraz, Imran, Waseem, Waqar and many others. India is a land of Batsmen inspired by Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid and the likes.

POSTED BY
robbec
on | January 9, 2013, 21:07 GMT

We should call this trophy 'Kashmir' seriously

POSTED BY
sanjs100
on | January 9, 2013, 20:53 GMT

Last match Sachin played against Pak was Asia Cup 2012

POSTED BY
Amin.Rehman
on | January 9, 2013, 20:48 GMT

I think nobody deserves it better than Imran Khan and Kapil Dev. Both won a world cup for their respective countries with an average team and thousands of cricketers are still influenced by them on both sides. Both were true all rounders and both India and Pakistan have failed to produce anyone like them so far.
Imran Kapil Trophy is the best. Let's honor our true heroes.

POSTED BY
hhillbumper
on | January 9, 2013, 20:39 GMT

They can name it the Tendulkar trophy.of course it could only be played for lots of money and be ineffective for a big match

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 20:34 GMT

I think the first captains from both teams to take the field in the historic first-ever bilateral series between India & Pak should be honored. So the trophy should be named Amarnath-Kardar Trophy. Two legends indeed.

POSTED BY
vijayer
on | January 9, 2013, 20:28 GMT

Also, would recommend not using Sachin's name for any cup that involves just one another cricketting nation. Go for a global award in his name. eg ICC award for best batsman in ODI & Tests.

POSTED BY
Shrekk
on | January 9, 2013, 20:26 GMT

Mr. Guha are you kidding me? How on earth do you see Tendulkar defining the cricket on this side? Are we supposed to accept that statement just because you've thrown it with such off-handedness? Indians seem to have the hardest time accepting Imran's superiority over Kapil when that's a much more indisputable fact, stats and other wise. And you expect the pak nation to accept sachin's name as a tournament title as if we owe sachin something. Your elitism is amazing. I don't know one batsman in pak whose batting is shaped by sachin.

If anything, as his career stands now, i'm sure most pakistanis don't want him to be 'defining cricket on this side'. It seems this article is yet another attempt at salvaging the sachin pride through coercing crooked admissions of his greatness out of people, this time by getting pak to play for his name. In the words of a greater indian hero, this is 'a post-dated cheque on a crashing bank'.

POSTED BY
vijayer
on | January 9, 2013, 20:25 GMT

Definitely Imran - Kapil, both of them being the best all rounders their team has produced and also the first World Cup winning captains for their respective teams.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 20:18 GMT

@ Cricket_Blues: Dr Jehangir Khan was the father of Majid Khan, (not Javed Burki), who's full name was Majid Jehangir Khan.

POSTED BY
srriaj317
on | January 9, 2013, 20:04 GMT

If you want to name it after a player who has had high impact in Ind-Pak games, I might go for the Zaheer Abbas Trophy. This is coming from an Indian btw.

POSTED BY
India_Rules_Everybody
on | January 9, 2013, 20:03 GMT

Firstly a very poorly written article. It just keeps going on and on about nothing. Not sure why Gandhi or Jinnah had to be mentioned in a cricket article. Since it is a bilateral trophy it makes sense to have 2 names if at all it needs to have a name. Kapil-Imran trophy sounds the best to me. Sachin is bigger than the Ind-Pak series so no point in naming it after him. Maybe the World Cup needs to be renamed to Tendulkar Cup. Actually Sachin is even bigger than the World Cup! :) We miss you Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. ODIs will never be the same again.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 20:03 GMT

A H Kardar trophy would be a good choice.

POSTED BY
Nampally
on | January 9, 2013, 19:55 GMT

Mr. Guha, you mention the origin of Indo-Pak cricket dating back to 60 years - 1952. The first Captains of the 2 teams surely deserve to be credited more than all other modern names. I think AH Kardar & VS Hazare (or VM Merchant) were probably the first captains. So why not name it Merchant-Kardar of Hazare-KardarTrophy? Bringing in Lata, Noor Jehan or Gandhi, jinnah or poets into Cricket makes a mockery of sport. Actually it is the old Timers, who were the Archetects of the game in these 2 Nations. They played this game under very trying times & by living hand to mouth to make the ends meet. Alternately it could be name neutral & directly named after the countries such Indo-Pak. Trophy or Hindustan-Pakistan Trophy. You can make it friendly by calling it Bhai-Bhai Trophy. Our religions justify Ishwar-Allah Trophy!. I think this one is better & eternal because most of us believe in God & it embraces both the countries' major religious Gods. I rest my case!.

POSTED BY
IrtizaRizvi
on | January 9, 2013, 19:41 GMT

No doubt Sachin is a great player but how about having Wasim Akram tropy? or Waqar Younis Trophy?

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 19:27 GMT

----Sami-Sreesanth Trophy----

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 19:25 GMT

I can't speak for Gandhi, but Jinnah did play cricket as a boy, according to an anecdote from his official biography. Having said that, it is true that Gandhi and Jinnah are hardly cricketing legends (and btw I think Gandhi-Jinnah has a better sound to it then Jinnah-Gandhi.). Nonetheless, I am one Pakistani who doesn't want it named after Sachin Tendulkar alone, or even a Pakistani cricketer. It should be named after one representative each from both countries.

POSTED BY
asterix.gaul
on | January 9, 2013, 19:09 GMT

Indians are already calling it the Kapil-Imran trophy, and Pakistanis are calling it Imran-Kapil trophy. I think it is best to name the trophy after a sponsor, possibly a bank. How about the Punjab and Sind bank? I think it will be wonderful :D

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 19:09 GMT

As a Pakistani fan i would not have any issue with the trophy being named after Sachin Tendulkar simply because the massive respect I and all the Pakistani fans have for him.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 19:08 GMT

Would't "Amity" or "Friendship" trphy be better? Maybe "Dosti" trophy will do the trick as the word is common in both the lingua francas of the 2 countries! This way there will no controversy.
Javed Helali
Pflugerville, TX 78660, USA

POSTED BY
TARIQ.ZAFAR
on | January 9, 2013, 18:45 GMT

@KiwiRocker I must say that I always like your comments. Initially from your nick name "Kiwi" I thought you are from New Zealand :P

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 18:33 GMT

if its indo pak series Pak player must be included in the name

POSTED BY
TARIQ.ZAFAR
on | January 9, 2013, 18:22 GMT

@skylion You are right Sachin and Akram are not in the same league, Akram is miles ahead. If taking more wickets or scoring more runs is the criteria of greatness then Kumble must be a superior bowler compared to Marshall, Ambrose Akram Imran Khan etc which he isn't. Similarly no matter how many runs Sachin scores, he can't be compared to match winners like Lara Ponting Akram Kallis etc. Its a fact, the sooner you accept it the better it would be.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 18:05 GMT

Imran-Kapil
or
Sachin-Inzi
or
Gawaskar-Miandad
or
Waz-Shaz

I think I listed the greatest !!!

POSTED BY
skylion
on | January 9, 2013, 18:02 GMT

I am one of those fans for who a part of cricket has died with Sachin's retirement. But even I think it is too early to name a trophy after him. Out of all the names mentioned, I think Imran-Kapil Trophy makes the most sense. They were two of the best all rounders in that generation - especially given the fact that how rare it was to have all rounders in the team.

POSTED BY
aditya051088
on | January 9, 2013, 18:01 GMT

i would rather say the trophy name should be nehru-jinnah trophy because gandhi wa never a politician, he is a social worker.and as aindian we never compaired gandhi with anyone for us he is uncompairable. or the trophy should be named after any of two great criceter from both sides say kapil-imran or gavaskar-hanif .... one should not compair either gandhi or sachin with anyone as they are our uncoimpairable national heros.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 17:57 GMT

Dear writer - Frank Worrel was the first black captain of west indies who took his side to Aus in 1961/62 and won the hears of the Australian public by his attacking captaincy and his team performance, and hence Australia west Indies series is named is Frank Worrell Trophy. Basil D Oliveria was a white south african who wasn't aloud to tour SAF with England team and the SAF vs Eng trophy si named after him as a respect to him against apartheid. But what has Sachin done in order to win hearts of Pakistani ppl or changed any political movement? His average against Pakistan is 42 which is much lower than his career average. He has just scored two test centuries despite playing in 6 test series against Pakistan. One of those centuries in Chennai was a chancy and in a losing cause where as the other in Multan was a second fiddle to Sehwag.

I know Sachin is a God in India so better name one of the Indian states after him and leave the cricketing trophy to a deserving guy like Imran or Kapil

POSTED BY
skylion
on | January 9, 2013, 17:56 GMT

If the writer could only see the comments of Tariq Zafar - there is no way Pakistan will accept "Sachin" on the trophy alone. @tariq: No Disrespect to Akram but you can't even compare akram with what Sachin has accomplished. The man started breaking his own records as he ran out of records to break!! Wasim bhai was great ..... but same league as Sachin ..... Give me a break!!

POSTED BY
ROXSPORT
on | January 9, 2013, 17:44 GMT

I would love to see it named after Tiger Pataudi, a real legend of Indian cricket & a real gentleman.

POSTED BY
PratUSA
on | January 9, 2013, 17:35 GMT

Kapil-Imran is a clear choice if it has to be named on cricketers but how about 'Subcontinent Trophy'?

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 17:28 GMT

This really is the stupidest idea i have ever heard

POSTED BY
Vindaliew
on | January 9, 2013, 17:26 GMT

You can't really compare the crowd reaction to Inzamam and Miandad - Miandad, while a great player, was certainly no ambassador of cricket goodwill, especially against India. He was an especially antagonistic character who people respected, but most probably did not mind seeing the back of. Inzi was a much more mild-mannered gentleman, comedic for his entertainment value when running, and just as talented and great a player as Miandad was. It is hardly surprising that the Indians were indifferent to the end of Miandad, but significantly more respectful to the end of Inzi, without needing to take into account the political situation.

POSTED BY
Shan156
on | January 9, 2013, 17:14 GMT

Imran-Kapil trophy would make sense.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 17:09 GMT

i think it should be Himesh-Atif Trophy....after the epic show surkshetra...

POSTED BY
Desihungama
on | January 9, 2013, 17:04 GMT

Noble idea but what is Jinnah and Gandhi have to do with sports in general and cricket in particular? If a trophy has to be named, it's got to be Mankad-Kardar Trophy. That would a fitting tribute to the cricket growth of both countries.

POSTED BY
TARIQ.ZAFAR
on | January 9, 2013, 16:54 GMT

@IndiaGoats Yes Ambrose and Marshall are in the same league as Akram (who is better than who will be a separate discussion) but naming the trophy as Kumble Akram trophy is a disgrace to Akram (no offence to Kumble). Kumble was a very good bowler but not a legend like Akram. Name it Sachin Akram trophy, it will make sense but no way it can be Akram Kumble trophy or Sachin trophy alone...

POSTED BY
pakstarr
on | January 9, 2013, 16:49 GMT

Nice article and interesting take on potential names, although the Imran-Kapil Trophy can work, i like the idea of the poster @15:51PM idea of Amarth-Kardar Trophy purely for the historical context.

As for Tendulkar trophy, although there is admiration and respect for such a great player, the Pakistani fans would never go for it...you might as well call it the "Miandad Last Ball 6" Indian fans would love that? right?! ;)

POSTED BY
screwgauge
on | January 9, 2013, 16:43 GMT

Why not name it the ``Kashmir Cup''? Both sides hopefully win it a few times and all of us can live happily ever after :-)

POSTED BY
Dhumper
on | January 9, 2013, 16:36 GMT

How about naming it 'PEACE'' trophy? Let the cricketers fight in the middle of the grounds where it's supposed to be fought with passion to earn pride for their countries and spread love and peace and be the best of neighbours off it!

POSTED BY
CricOr
on | January 9, 2013, 16:25 GMT

It will be better to honor the past legends like Gavaskar, Kapil, Imran , Miandad who played for their country .Then the present day players who just retired, they can wait some more for their days

POSTED BY
syedzafar
on | January 9, 2013, 16:16 GMT

Strange, that nobody is talking about how and when the cricketing relations between the two countries will be fully restored. Naming a trophy should be the last thing to do. No matches seem to be possible in Pakistan in the near future. As such naming the trophy can wait.

POSTED BY
IndiaGoats
on | January 9, 2013, 16:16 GMT

@TARIQ - Akram may be Pakistan's best bowler, just as Kumble is India's. But there are better fast bowlers (Marshall, Ambrose...) and also fast bowlers with more wickets (McGrath, Hadlee, Walsh...), just as there are spin bowlers who are better and have more wickets than Kumble. So I would think they are pretty even. Now if we were talking about ODIs, I would be willing to accept Akram as the best in the world.

POSTED BY
cricket_is_my_life
on | January 9, 2013, 16:05 GMT

I would go for the name Kumar Sanu trophy. Kumar Sanu is one playback singer who has more fans in Pakistan than in India. I am sure many Pakistanis will also support me.

POSTED BY
Trapper439
on | January 9, 2013, 16:02 GMT

Given that these two teams draw 64.4% of their Tests against each other, I'd call it the "watching paint dry" or "watching grass grow" trophy.

No other Test rivalry has a draw percentage over 50%.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 15:51 GMT

It should be the amarnath-kardar trophy.
Imran-Kapil doesn't go far back enough to encapsulate the history involved.
Tendulkar cup? Pakistanis do not worship him as India does.

POSTED BY
TARIQ.ZAFAR
on | January 9, 2013, 15:35 GMT

Hi Ramchandra, Just to comment here I had to register on cricinfo website because it was necessary.

How could you mention Kumble's name with the greatest ever fast bowler (Wasim Akram)? Who gave you the right to do that? How could you mention Sachin's name alone? I would urge you and 1 billion other Indians (with the exception of Anantha) to stop promoting Sachin as it seems to us that this is the national agenda of Indian people to promote Sachin (the most overrated cricketer of our generation). Please be realistic and admit the fact that Lara & Ponting were better batsmen and most importantly they were match winners.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 15:28 GMT

I agree that the trophy should be named after two legends who won 1st world cups for their nations. Great Imran Khan and Great Kapil Dev. And in this their will be no confusion about naming it Imran-Kapil trophy or Kapil-Imran as it doesn't matters alot. Although I am Pakistani but I like Kapil-Imran Trophy idea as it sounds better.. But naming after only Indian player would be unfair. If Sachin's name has to be in then what about Sachin-Inzi Trophy or Sachin-Miandad Trophy. But still I think KAPIL-IMRAN Trophy is the best Idea! :)

POSTED BY
Class-Apart
on | January 9, 2013, 15:26 GMT

The way to solve the trophy name issues is that whoever wins they have name first ie. if India wins then it's called Gandhi Jinnah trophy, and then the trophy name only be changed when Pakistan wins.

POSTED BY
abhyudayj
on | January 9, 2013, 15:18 GMT

it should be named as Kapil Dev and imran Khan Trohy Inshort Dev-khan Trophy

POSTED BY
JKSFB
on | January 9, 2013, 15:02 GMT

With all due respect, doesn't tendulkar have enough recognition already? I think the idea should be to honor people who have made a contribution to Indo-Pak cricket by making it happen, not necessarily those who performed in the matches....

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 14:41 GMT

In case of the upcoming australian tour ,what trophy should india and australia play for ? which player defined the rivalry of these 2 nations (in cricket) in the last decade with his astonishing iningses? now please dont pretend that you dont know his name and please dont say sachin tendulkar again. The australians respect him and the real cricket lovers adore him .consider that too.he and one mr .dravid scripted many of india's great test victories.now please dont ask what is the exact full form of the initials "V.V.S" .

POSTED BY
saadibnasaadhusain
on | January 9, 2013, 14:41 GMT

Since the Indian team has been known over the years for its batting prowess and Pakistan for its bowling, I suggest taking one great Indian batsman and a great pakistani bowler and naming the series after them. Suggestions include :

Gavaskar-Imran

Tendulkar-Akram

Ganguly-Akhtar etc.

POSTED BY
cricket-india
on | January 9, 2013, 14:28 GMT

"Sanjay Manjrekar - in my view the most intelligent as well as the most independent-minded of Indian player-commentators" - brilliant piece of sarcasm there; thoroughly enjoyed it:-)

POSTED BY
LeftBrain
on | January 9, 2013, 14:11 GMT

Totally agreed with Guha about leaving Jinnah/Gandhi or any non-cricketer out of it....... Imran Kapil is a good name, although one could say that Kapil is no way near Imran in any aspect of the game. Suddestion of naming this trophy after Tendulkaris utter non-sense. Tendulkar's only impact in Ind-Pak games is longevity, Saeed Anwar had more telling impact then him in Ind-Pak matches. by autheor's own account Miandad's impact is far greater then Tendulkar's. besides, any name where you have to explain and justify criteria is far from ideal in the first place. India Pakistan rivalry is far greater then Aus-WI or Eng-SA, so naming the trophy after one player cannot be suitable or ideal at all. Naming the trophy after a player who played for both contries is a good suggestion, or it can be named after first captains who played with each other, L Amarnath and AH Kardar. Amarnath-Kardar trophy..... no partison, no favourtism, and no obsession with anyone!!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 14:10 GMT

Why name it after people? Why not places? How about the Taxilla trophy? or the Indus Valley trophy?

POSTED BY
rising_phoenix
on | January 9, 2013, 14:00 GMT

How about More-Miandad Trophy after the famous Kiran More - Javed Miandad incident????

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:59 GMT

@Shahbaz Choudary Alphabetic order is a weak argument. It should be Imran-Kapil because it sounds better that way. But if they use the last names then problem solved. Both Khan-Dev or Dev-Khan sounds alright.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:47 GMT

Somehow, I can't stop wondering Indian obsession with Tendulkar, an overrated cricketer, less a match winner, more a statistic machine. Imran-Kapil would be less controversial.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:43 GMT

Useless argument...........Imran-Kapil is a no brainer.......there should not be any other name

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:25 GMT

I would simply name it "India-Pakistan"..
Its these couple of names that has shaken the Adrenaline level of people from both countries for over generations..and it will continue to do so!

Just for the records, these names can be considered..
1) Kapil-Imran
2) Tendulkar-Akhtar
3) Bombay-Lahore :-)

POSTED BY
Jonathan_E
on | January 9, 2013, 13:23 GMT

You could name it the Abdul Hafeez Kardar trophy, after the man who played for both sides before and after partition?

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:18 GMT

Tendulkar-Miandad shield maybe? Tendulkar for his influence in making the matches joyous occasions despite match outcomes and Miandad for his dual capacity to bring the best of fighting spirits out of Pakistan in such contests and remembering the number of times pre-Tendulkar there were matches determined by his performances with the bat.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 13:00 GMT

Imran-Kapil Trophy is best suited as "I" comes before "K" alphabatically.

POSTED BY
KRISCO
on | January 9, 2013, 12:44 GMT

Mr.Guha sometimes takes his passion or favouritism for Sachin a tad too far and this is one of many I have seen in this guest column.. no doubt sachin is a great cricketer.. 4 u thr mite be only one.. but Kapil-Imran is an ideal name....
for some allrounders define an era.... and kapil was the greatest everrrrrrrrrrrr we produced natural athlete..and vice versa IMRAN 4 his sheer persona and charisma.. if longevity is the only criteria as mentioned by u then a Miandad-Tendulkar is an apt name... with all due respect sir I think u must remove ur biased spectacles before writing a column about sachin... I think we have owed him enough.. players greater than him will come for the time being let us enjoy the game.. and Indians for once cheer for the team and not 4 the individual.. and the money driven marketing created byy mark mascrehenas n their ilk should die a slow death...Let an uncorrupted game prevail.. kudos.....

POSTED BY
omarmajid1
on | January 9, 2013, 12:39 GMT

Sadly this is another example of india's unhealthy obsession with Tendulkar. You cannot warrant naming a bilateral trophy solely after him. He has had an impact on indo-Pak games for sure, but one would say the batting contributions of others has been more telling. By the same extension you could name it the "Imran khan" trophy, for he is someone that had far more of an impact on indo-Pak games over a similar period. And he is also one who is held in same sort of reverence , that Pak players have for Tendulkar (Sanjay manjerekar to name one)

I personally think it should be named the -khan/gavaskar trophy , as I would say these two have had the biggest impact on the evolution of sub continental cricket

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 12:36 GMT

Imran-Kapil Trophy is a no-brainer. And the order is simply becuase it rolls off the tongue more easily than Kapil-Imran. Both countries should be represented in the name of any trophy.

POSTED BY
Zahidsaltin
on | January 9, 2013, 12:32 GMT

But why not call it "Imran Khan trophy"? After all no bigger/better cricketer has ever born on this soil yet. To be fair, call it Kashmir trophy and let the blood boil and sweat flow.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 12:32 GMT

Indus Valley Trophy would be great

POSTED BY
DaDaL0G
on | January 9, 2013, 12:31 GMT

it is not necessary that trophy named on any legend it could be something else Like the Ashes and should be played like ashes Year after Year or two 5 Test 5 ODIs and a T20 Series and i hope people will like it this way more.

POSTED BY
Inzi329
on | January 9, 2013, 12:30 GMT

Is there a medical term for Sachin obsession?
Yes he broke most of batting records, but don't believe that he is the cricketer of his time (there are Kallis, Akram, Lara, Mural --- ) and for sure not popular in Pakistan.
Kpail-Imran or Imran-Kapil trophy would be my first choice.

POSTED BY
SpeedCricketThrills
on | January 9, 2013, 12:26 GMT

My suggestion is to name it "Arnab Goswami Trophy" and the series should be sponsored by Times Now TV Channel!

POSTED BY
shrey123
on | January 9, 2013, 12:12 GMT

What about a Tendulkar- Miandad trophy! The men who made most Ind- Pak games thrilling.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 12:06 GMT

Am surprised nobody yet suggested a Shaz-Waz trophy!

POSTED BY
Pakistanvictorious
on | January 9, 2013, 12:04 GMT

Ramchandra Guha, This should be named after the gretas who made an impact and nobody cna deny that Imran Khan and Kapel Dev are the most respected players accross the borders. I think you have deleberately included Tendulkar's name in this article to make it more attractive. He is a great batsmen no doubt but how could you say he has defined the pak-ind cricket, take out that 97 in world cup and 136 at Chennai he has done nothing. In fact he has the lowest batting average in Test matches and ODI against Pakistan, only 2 of his tons resulted in wins and his batting average in pakistan is 38 accross both formats. His innings per hundred in highest against Pakistan. So dont drag Tendulkar in everything he is a great man but not the one who defined the Ind-Pak cricket.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 11:57 GMT

How about CHETAN SHARMA - MIANDAD Trophy?

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 11:52 GMT

Imran-Kapil Trophy sounds the best. I'd rather it is cricket related than related with national ideologies that represent Gandhi-Jinnah. Certainly not Tendulkar / Wasim / Waqar or anyone that recent at all. Imran and Kapil were not only the best all rounders from their nations, they got to lead their teams to World cup wins as well.

However, the thing that matters the most is that there be cricket between Pakistan and India. I wouldn't care if it was 'Gayay Soap Cup' or Imran-Kapil Trophy, as long as I got to see great cricket!

POSTED BY
Prateek_Khatri
on | January 9, 2013, 11:35 GMT

Initially I liked the idea of Indus trophy but Indus and Kashmir issues have been confrontational for both the countries. Hence it should be named on something else which stands for friendship or which is just neutral. Music has always been a binding factor for the two countries. Hence Lata-Noor Jehan trophy might be as good as Imran-Kapil.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 11:31 GMT

With all due respect to Sachin's achievements, his record against Pakistan is not that bright...he averages 40 against us with ONLY two (least) Test centuries...in ODI's he scored 5 centuries, 4 of them for losing cause...Pakistanis even show a common ritual between an Indo-Pak match, that is, they pray for Sachin's century so that India could LOSE. Instead, Sir Kapil has much more respect in our country (sense it by the word "Sir"), he often appears in a telephonic interviews on Pakistani national sports channel, and all the viewers and ex-cricketers listen to him eagerly, so in my opinion "Khan-Dev Trophy" would be an awesome name, both Imran and Kapil were revolutionary captains; gave their countries 1st world cups. Moreover, "Sachin Tendulkar Trophy" would be an impropriate name for two reasons; first is already mentioned above, second is that his legacy can't be matched with Inzamam, Miandad or anybody to be named as Sachin-Inzamam or Tendulkar-Miandad Trophy (seems a mismatch)

POSTED BY
Lewanay
on | January 9, 2013, 11:26 GMT

I don't think naming the trophy after Tandulker makes any sense. Tandulker was a great batsman indeed but I don't think he defines the cricket between the two nations. The players who really created interest in cricket for the common people in the two countries and were regarded heroes in both the countries and after whom the trophy could be named are Imran and Kapil or Imran and Sunil. Tandulker might be very famous in India but I guess to most Pakistanis he was just a run making machine.

POSTED BY
golgo_85
on | January 9, 2013, 11:16 GMT

Kumble-Wasim trophy? Seriously? I'm neither an Indian nor a Pakistani but that would be an insult to Wasim Akram, Tendulkar-Wasim trophy would make more sense simply cause of the highest of calibres that those two greats belong to. Kumble will never be considered as a great cricketer outside India, he was "merely" a natural spinner, more of a mediocre swing bowler with a sling spinner action. Imran-Kapil trophy sounds nice but once again wouldn't put Kapil in the same group with Imran and Hadlee, maybe with Botham. And it's a trophy about two teams, so, to suggest a trophy to be named after only Sachin is absurd. Yes, we love him but it would still deem as biased.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 11:07 GMT

Nothing makes more sense that an Imran-Kapil trophy honoring two of the greatest all-rounders of all time nd two world cup winning captains!

POSTED BY
MFNadeem
on | January 9, 2013, 11:02 GMT

Dear Ramchandra Guha
This is an excellent article. Give it any name, but keep giving us good cricket. Peace.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 10:59 GMT

Liked somebody's idea of 'Kashmir' Trophy!!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 10:57 GMT

Imran-Kapil.. Waqar-Tendulkar could be fitting too as both made their debut in the same match (in Khi).

POSTED BY
juned.jamshed
on | January 9, 2013, 10:52 GMT

Indus trophy is best suited name but the most important thing is continuous cricketing ties between the two countries...

POSTED BY
_K_C
on | January 9, 2013, 10:47 GMT

Hello! This is a nobrainer they should but ofcourse play for the "Kashmir Trophy"!

POSTED BY
Napster-04
on | January 9, 2013, 10:40 GMT

I think Imran-Kapil trophy would be ideal for the both countries fans and boards. The same was suggested by an Indian sports person in a show "Agenda Aaj Tak" and I think this idea will not only promote cricketing ties between the two Nations but it will also leave an impact on the fans from across the globe who just want to see these two teams playing against each other more often.

POSTED BY
kamran.afzal
on | January 9, 2013, 10:27 GMT

Miandad - More trophy can only remind one of THAT Miandad - More incident ;)

One correction for Mr. Guha though. Jinnah is known to be a "fan" of cricket. He was more English in nature than Indian anyway, and he thought of Cricket as a gentleman's game.

P.S. I wouldn't mind naming the trophy anything as long as these two nations play...

POSTED BY
jzakariya
on | January 9, 2013, 9:54 GMT

It is unlikely that there will be many objections to the name of an individual from one or the other country coming first, but Mr. Guha has seriously over estimated the esteem Tendulkar is held in across the border.
While few will deny his genius, not many will concede that he is the finest of his generation or that he had a lasting impact on the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. I am afraid, Tendulkar's God like status does not extend across the border. Miandad, for one, had a far greater impact in India-Pakistan matches.
The Imran-Kapil trophy sounds like the best compromise, since they were from the same era, were both all-rounders and are regarded highly by fans and opponents alike.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:53 GMT

the series shud be named Tendulker-Akram trophy!!India's batting is stronger so Sachin Tendulker wud be ideal fer this..Since Pakistan bowling has been their major strength so a bowler like waseem akram seems fit!!So,it can be named Akram-Tendulker trophy or vice versa because it will be a competition between the strongest batting n bowling !!othr thn tht Imran-Kapil sounds too gud..

POSTED BY
davidatlas999
on | January 9, 2013, 9:50 GMT

first india are not ready for a complet series if some how they play i think peace tropy is great one we need to play for better cause and all we know ashes not some one name.we should go for a peace tropy.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:49 GMT

In plain simple words, no.
Sachin though a great player doesn't represent Pakistan in the naming of the series, with all due respect to Indian cricket fans, sachin is not bigger than all of Pakistani cricket. Imran-kapil is a much better option. I read in a comment above about it being called The Pacifist cup, which in my opinion is a great idea!

POSTED BY
777aditya
on | January 9, 2013, 9:39 GMT

Gambhir-Afridi trophy - I think they showed what India and Pakistan is about in recent times OR even perhaps Miandad-More trophy. These are the few players who let out their true emotions in Indo-Pak matches - others were just trying to 'act' good! Seriously though, name it whatever you want (except Shaz-Waz, sounds gay!) - as long as the cricket is competitive and played in the right spirit. Pakistani teams after the Inzy era have been very well behaved - so much as I hate to admit it, but I like this team!

POSTED BY
vish57
on | January 9, 2013, 9:39 GMT

Fit name for trophy should be Imran-Kapil Trophy, a tribute to two legendary all rounders who have brought world cup victories to their respective nations

POSTED BY
TheScot
on | January 9, 2013, 9:35 GMT

Indus Trophy, as also suggested by @Sweetspot, is very appropriate name. Indus ties both these countries into a thread which goes far beyond the man made boundries we argue over these days. For thousands of years, when there was neither India nor Pakistan, we were known as the land of Indus civilization. I do not know how relevant Sachin, Imran, Kapil will be 100 years later, and for that matter whether we would still have these man made boundries (or may be more boundries) after 500 years, but I am very sure Indus will keep on defining the people, land, and its culture for another thousand years.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:33 GMT

sir,"""getsetgopak""" excellent comment, if the trophy is to be named after an individual,thant great imran khan best candidate for it.He has defined the pace bowling in sub-continent, and most influential cricketer in sub-continent ,but if is to be named after two individul than no one is better than Imran:kapil trophy. cheers from j & k...

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:25 GMT

Imran-Kapil trophy seems to be the most appealing...but first lets hope that bilaterla series starts on a routine basis and then we can think of naming the series :-)
It will surely be exciting to have a test series soon.

POSTED BY
sirvivfan
on | January 9, 2013, 9:25 GMT

Without doubt it should be Kapil - Imran trophy. Both achieved great things for their nations and were world class all rounders, with tremendous personality and fighting qualities. The little master tendulkar whist being great and a legend, cannot match Kapil for all round influence on indian cricket.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:23 GMT

They should look to name it something as iconic as "The Ashes Series" may be .. "The Rivals" or something like that

POSTED BY
Anwar-Lara
on | January 9, 2013, 9:18 GMT

It should be Imran-Kapil trophy. The two most charismatic cricketers/personalities both nations have ever produced.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 9:18 GMT

Name it "The Pacifist Cup" which means Peace loving , Anti war , forget cricketers , politicians , the most important thing between the two countries is peace

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 8:43 GMT

Agree.. Agree. Fully Agree with the editor's views

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 8:41 GMT

The important thing is regular cricket, name is not of much importance. The cricket will be exciting even the series name is on sponsor's name. Naming it only after 1 person may not be welcomed by all . So a better approach might be , when india are host , name it after their heroes, & when pak are host they can name it after their heroes and change name each time to pay tribute to the country's greatest.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 8:38 GMT

lol like the idea of sania - shoaib trophy by Gururajan Ragothaman...

POSTED BY
Amjadhusain
on | January 9, 2013, 8:28 GMT

Why should it be named Sachin Tendulkar trophy? Pakisatn will not accept this nor will India if it was named after a Pakistani player olny!

More- Miandad trophy. Thats my earliest memory of an india pak match and the one with tempers flaring!

POSTED BY
sweetspot
on | January 9, 2013, 7:35 GMT

Just call it the INDUS trophy after the ancient civilization that produced these two nations, and let's hope everything remains civilized like the latest series.

POSTED BY
Mel-waas
on | January 9, 2013, 7:21 GMT

Kapil- Imran trophy has already been approved by fans. But PCB is under Pakistan Govt's influence. Imran Khan is a political opponent of both Ruling Parties PPP & PML. which is why PCB is not going to go For Imran. As for Tendulkar he is liked by Pakistanis. But Not even close to how much Indians like Imran & Waseem Akram. I think Lara is more popular in Pakistan than Sachin Tendulkar. But you can call it Sachin Tendulkar Trophy Because Sachin is India's most beloved Cricketer. And it will be an Honor for Pakistan To lift that trophy.

POSTED BY
irfanmalik912
on | January 9, 2013, 7:20 GMT

How can anyone (even Sachin) surpass the player who produced watershed moment in the history of indo-pak cricket i.e. Miandad. This article would have been more elusive, if written by someone not belonging to both the countries. But i could imagine that if asked, Tony would have opted for Miandad instead of Sachin.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:45 GMT

Sania-Shoaib Malik trophy.. Living example and model for Ind-Pak unity.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:34 GMT

Diplomacy suggest that a trophy needs to be named after two cricketers, one from each country. But what about the name Abdul Kardar Trophy? He is among 3 who have played for both India and Pakistan, and was also Pakistan's first test captan.

POSTED BY
ooper_cut
on | January 9, 2013, 6:22 GMT

But I disagree naming a trophy after Sachin right now, maybe 10 years after he has retired.

POSTED BY
ooper_cut
on | January 9, 2013, 6:21 GMT

@kiwirocker... As far as I know, Tendulkar is respected even more outside India than in India. Only a FEW pakistan players (Jealous types) do not like him, the majority there too love him except in Ind-Pak match.

POSTED BY
India_boy
on | January 9, 2013, 6:19 GMT

why sachin tendulkar trophy ? As most others have mentioned, SRT has not done anything splendid in particular against Pak apart from his Chennai inns.(and '03 WC SF), that ways Sehwag 309, Dravid 270, Miandad 280*, Kumble 10/74 etc can also be accounted for. SRT does not, in any way, define Indo-Pak series. I think it's better to name it after 2 people completely alienated from the cricket scene, those people who are revered and respected across the borders, irrespective of their professions. In that sense, a Hassan-Singh Trophy (Mehdi Hassan, Jagjit Singh). But if you really have to name it after the cricketers, name it after the 2 best spinners - Kumble-Qadir trophy.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:11 GMT

Kapil-Imran Trophy would be best

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 6:10 GMT

Its a much vaunted thought & full of foresight…hope it happens sooner rather than later…there are so many exemplary players on both sides who could add much value to such a great series plus what about the aging beneficiaries from both teams* Sounds good plus cricket breaks down the differences & stirs passion, emotion & bonhomie

POSTED BY
ashok16
on | January 9, 2013, 6:09 GMT

Rather than naming it after people, I would suggest naming it after a place. How about the "Punjab Trophy". It is a province happily (atleast now) shared between the countries and can serve as a good template for future relations.
We have a team to build. It is time Indians stopped obsessing over Tendulkar and moved on.

When I starting reading the article, I dreaded if the suggestion was to name the trophy as Gandhi-Jinnah. While both personalities have great respect, it will just keep reminding us of the unfortunate and painful partition. With due respect to both of them, we should keep them out.

I am a great fan of Sachin but feel that it may not do justice to represent both sides.

Kapil-Imran is definitely a great option as respect to two greats of India and Pakistan cricket. But why not go beyond individuals and dedicate it to the spirite of young individuals across the border who want to come closer to each other.

How about naming it to the great mughal emperor Badshah AKBAR coz he is the one who is well respected king and embodies the harmoney with which he ruled the great subcontinent.

POSTED BY
KiwiRocker-
on | January 9, 2013, 5:52 GMT

I will vote for Imran Trophy, an Imran-Kapil trophy although I also like Kardar Naydu trophy idea. Kardad even played for 'United India'. Tendulkar also does not seem to enjoy respect of his peers in Pakistani team. Wasim Akram rates Sir Viv Richards as best batsman he bowled to. Waqar younis rates Lara as the best and Pakistan's current finest S.Ajmal ridicules Tendulkar after Tendulkar's struggles against him. None of these players disputes that Tendulkar was a useful batsman but he was not a match winner or the best. The fact remains he never played enough against Pakistan. He never scored as much as Gavskar did. He never even did as well as Darvid did...and he was never as threatening as flat track bulley Sehwag. Writer has to understand that there is a world outside India and sadly Tendulkar is not rated as highly as he is in India. India's finest was Kapil Dev.Best batsman was Gavaskar and recent memory, the best was Dravid and Laxman!Tendulkar could not led even his own country!

POSTED BY
KiwiRocker-
on | January 9, 2013, 5:47 GMT

A key criteria to name the trophey has to be that it is accepted by fans and more importantly it is someone who is respected on both sides of the border.Unfortunately, tendulkar did not either play enough, win enough or scored enough against Pakistan to even remotely be touted for such an honour. Two Pakistani batsmen have scored and won more matches than anyone from both sides, Javed and Zaheer Abbas. However, a Pakistani players who holds charisma and is absolutely respected on both sides of border has to be Imran Khan. Tendulkar was a record collector. He did not even led India with distinction. India's finest was Kapil Dev and Kapil is a passionate fan of Imran Khan.Pakistan has won more against India in India, in Pakistan and on neutral venues so please do not disrespect Pakistani fans and players by such flawed proposals. One must also note the wonderful work great Imran Khan has done outside cricket world. He was a great player, wonderful leader and even better human being!

I agree with Kardar/Nayudu trophy. they were the first captains of both teams when they played first time. All other criteria will be argued and challenged.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 5:19 GMT

few cricketers have played for both countries. pick one of them and i think both would be happy

POSTED BY
aslamPK
on | January 9, 2013, 5:09 GMT

yes.I would go for Imran-Kapil Trophy. The two great allrounders who have won world cup each for their country and have played many india-Pak series. Sachin's name can be used for the India-WestIndies series named 'the Tendulkar-Lara' trophy.
I also don't think his name is suitable for the India-Pak series.

POSTED BY
Cricket_Blues
on | January 9, 2013, 5:07 GMT

I'm surprised at the contention over names. There is only one person who can be, or at least should be, equally accepted by both nations: Dr. Jahangir Khan. The Indian fast bowler who killed the unfortunate sparrow. The man who played in India's first test match, and took fight wickets, and later produced a sort of cricketing dynasty. His son, Javed Burkey, captained Pakistan; and so did his nephews, Majid Khan and Imran Khan.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 5:01 GMT

Kapil Dev - Imran Khan Trophy is the best name. Both world class all-rounders and more importantly both are World Cup winning Captains - Mohan Raju

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:58 GMT

I don't agree with this and neither do I see it working for Pakistan (board, fans, media etc) to be honest. Tendulkar is a great cricketer but he doesn't quite stand out (amongst other greats) as much as some Indians might think. To the rest of the world he is a cricketer in the same class as Lara, Warne, Gilchrist, Muralitharan, Akram, etc but no more than that. There's no reason for Pakistan to accept this while they have greats such as Akram and Khan.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:55 GMT

How about the Nayudu-Kardar trophy? C K Nayudu and A H Kardar were the first captains for India and Pakistan respectively. It would be a great way to pay tribute to the pioneers of the game in the subcontinent.

POSTED BY
KiwiRocker-
on | January 9, 2013, 4:55 GMT

I am disappointed at this midly offensive article Guha. It lacks research.Tendulkar was a very vocal opponent of India and Pak ties in 90's.Please go and check newspapers. He did not want to face two of finest bowlers of his era.Tendulkar has his lowest test average out of all teams against Pakistan.His average has only improved when Pakistani bowling became weak! Tendulya has played an odd winning inning against Pakistan in ODI's but what test he exactly won against Pakistan? he failed in Madras in 1999 ( He failed to win). He failed in Kalkota in 1999. He was an epic failure in 2006 series loss to Pakistan. His highest score of 193 in Multan on dead pitch was over shadowed by Sehwag's ton.Pakistan has won more tests against India and more ODI's by some margin against India in 60+ years. If you want a series, then name it after the best and biggest sporting hero from Subcontinent ( Imran Khan) or share it but Kapil and Gavaskar will be more than happy to have it only Imran trophy!

POSTED BY
SoftwareStar
on | January 9, 2013, 4:41 GMT

Sachin's name could be used for the India-WestIndies series named 'the Tendulkar-Lara' trophy.

I don't think his name is suitable for the India-Pak series.

POSTED BY
TATTUs
on | January 9, 2013, 4:41 GMT

Well written as always Guha ji, carefully mixing it up - the India-Pakistan and Pakistan -India thing- through the write up. I like the idea as well. But it is difficult for that to happen, I guess.

I dont have any stand out alternative either. Given the political circumstances, it is definitely no easy to implement the naming as well.

POSTED BY
LillianThomson
on | January 9, 2013, 4:38 GMT

I would whole-heartedly endorse the idea of the two teams playing for the Sachin Tendulkar Trophy.

Tendulkar emerged on the 89-90 tour of Pakistan, and the link endures to this day. Both countries admire him.

Moreover, India-Pakistan cricket ties seem to wither according to the needs of each government at times to demonise the other country for domestic political reasons. It was delightful last night to see Bishan Bedi tweeting about his lovely day out with his friend Mushtaq Muhammad, and we know that Intikhab Alam and Wasim Akram have enduring friendships in India.

But best of all, if it's called the Sachin Tendulkar Trophy, neither side could so easily avoid playing for it at the whom of the politicians.

That's important: I believe that Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly and Kumble were toughened up for life by the 3 Tests in India v Pakistan in 1998-99. Gambhir, Pujara and Kohli need similar regular pressure to make them into hardened Test players who can better handle pressure.

POSTED BY
fan_of_good_cricket
on | January 9, 2013, 4:25 GMT

Very good comments by @Ashish_514. I would dare to disagree here by saying that Tendulkar has NOT defined how cricket is played between India and Pakistan. He has done it in a much broader context, and more specifically in ODIs all over the world. He got very few chances to face Pakistan in test arena. One cannot name a test series trophy on him. Kumble with Wasim doesn't suit well either as they are class apart. Wasim may not have proved match winning on every occasion but has never proved to be mediocre. Kumble on the other hand has a number of below average performances. I would vote for a Kapil-Imran or Gavasker-Miandad. The issue of who comes first could best be resolved by simply taking who began his career first. I doesn't really matter, at least for me. Tendulkar is too late to join this rivalry. It was already very well established by the time he began.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:25 GMT

SERIOUSLY, too sad we Indians often play "The sachin card" , Indian pakistan ....how about ....chetan sharma,venky prasad , morre, azhar finaaly how about jadeja!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:19 GMT

Naming a series after a legend is good idea. Its already implemented in Border - Gavaskar Trophy. Naming after Sachin seems be taken out of emotion after his retirement. Naming it from a legend from one country will not be fine and in the longer run it will raise questions. Best option is Kapil - Khan Series, both are legends WC winning captains and genuine all rounders from India and Pakistan. Impact of Kapil Dev and Imran Khan in the subcontinent cannot be measured.

POSTED BY
Mr-Charisma
on | January 9, 2013, 4:10 GMT

Nobody has been as influential as the great imran khan in sub-continent cricket....so if the trophy has to be named after a single player then it definitely has to be imran khan.....if the trophy has to be named after two players then imran-kapil trophy,wasim-sachin trophy or maindad-gavaskar trophy seem to be good choices....two trophies sound more reasonable...one for ODI'd and one for tests....

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:07 GMT

Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Aaqib Javeed, and even Saeed Anwar, Inzimam, and Afridi are some of the names that crop up the mind when you talk about an Indo-Pak series. This is another biased article by a Sachin fan. Sachin's contribution comes nowhere near Javeed Miandad and Imran Khan when you talk about an Indo-Pak series. If there is one guy from India who can be credited to turn the tide in India's favor, it is Sehwag whose knock of 300 in Multan led to India winning its first ever series in Pakistan. There is also that innings of 96 played by Gavaskar in a losing cause in his lost test. There is the 10-wicket haul of Anil Kumble. Similarly, Sachin's knock of 98 in 2003 World Cup, which was aided by the wayward bowling of Shoib Akhtar. Sachin is a more talented batsman, but does not come anywhere near to Javed Miandad when it comes to match winning abilities and playing under crisis. Imran, Miandad, Inzi, Sehwag, and even Kapil are greater match winners than Sachin ever was.

POSTED BY
asaduzzaman-khan
on | January 9, 2013, 4:07 GMT

Imran-Kapil trophy would be the best idea.

POSTED BY
0NBH
on | January 9, 2013, 3:57 GMT

What a stupid article. The only two examples the author has of trophies named for single players, Worrell and d'Oliveira, were for people whose achievements or legacy went far beyond the cricket field, breaking down race barriers in all the cricketing world. Tendulkar is a great player, but no more than that. Pakistan have had great players too - Imran, for one, is arguably greater than Sachin. If the author thinks fans would argue over the order of Gandhi and Jinnah (or Jinnah and Gandhi), does he really think they'll settle for a name so obviously biased to one of the teams? As a neutral England fan, I can see that's ridiculous. Or does he just not realise that outside India, Tendulkar isn't a living God, just another of the game's greats?

If you really want a cricketing name for the trophy, try someone who has a place in the history of both of the sides, not just one. AH Kardar, who played for India, captained Pakistan, and advanced the Asian game as an administrator.

POSTED BY
RockcityGuy
on | January 9, 2013, 3:57 GMT

Seconded...!!!!(if it matters at all...:-D)

POSTED BY
getsetgopk
on | January 9, 2013, 3:54 GMT

I knew the Indian writers are biased but even I did not see that coming haha. I mean is there even a pinch of seriousness to that argument? If you are going to sell Tendulkar, sell it to someone else. And here is why, between 1989 and 1999, he didn't play test cricket against Pak, that was the peak era of Wasim and Waqar, the best bowlers of the time, Tendulkars test credentials are seriously missing there. The 18 odd tests he played against Pak, he averaged a pathetic 42, if you are going to name the trophy after one individual then name it after Javed Miandad, 28 tests at an average of 67. Tendulkar was an ordinary player against pak, his average is good against the Aussies so sell it them. I am however ok with Imran Kapil trophy even though there is a serious imbalance in the quality and caliber of the two cricketers but thats the best India has ever had. Imran Khan is the greatest cricketer of all times. Kapil should take it as an honor.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 3:43 GMT

i,don,t think so mr. writer, the most influential cricketer ,produced by sub- continent is none other than great living legend i,e imran khan, so it is fitting to name trophy after him . This legend has really defied the fast bowiling in sub-continent ,it was due to this legend ,we seen bowlers like two w,s, and ultimate pace man shoiab and also this great man was inventioner of one of the great weapon of pace bowlong i,e reverse swing ,last but not least a great great leader and most charismstic look . """Cheers from j& k."""

POSTED BY
loveupak
on | January 9, 2013, 3:36 GMT

even though i think it is a great idea, infact it would be an honour for us too...but i don't think the masses of pakistan will agree with this, i hope they do!

POSTED BY
Ashish_514
on | January 9, 2013, 3:29 GMT

Sachin may have defined the cricket played between the two countries but Miandad has defined the rivalry. Though we Indians didn't like him, Javed Miandad cannot be ignored when we talk about Indo-Pak cricket. Tendulkar in general has defined cricket in India but Miandad was best known for both his antics and performances in India-Pakistan matches. And anyway no one in Pakistan is going to agree to name it after just an Indian player even though they like him, so what would be better than naming it after the two best performers in India-Pak ties. But given the recent visa controversy, I don't see that happening due to politics. He may be a relative of Dawood, but deserves some recognition for his contribution. He made those matches lively, and though we hated him, it made us even more desparate to want India to win.

POSTED BY
marutijha
on | January 9, 2013, 3:13 GMT

So more often than Not this trophy will be gathering dust on shelves of one of the nation .

POSTED BY
thegoodgame
on | January 10, 2013, 6:08 GMT

I would say we need not be hostage to history. We have very good role models from both sides in the recent past - who are gentlemen as well as world class cricketers. My suggestion would be Rahul-Wasim (or Wasim-Rahul, I like Wasim Akram enough to not mind his name coming first). These are two cricketers who represent the best talent our countries have produced with outstanding achievements in their careers - who have been exceptional both on and off the field - in words and in deeds. But the most differentiating characterestic which is a winner for me is their modesty and humbleness. Let them be the role models all young people from both sides aspire to.

POSTED BY
vikram_chandrasekar
on | January 9, 2013, 4:50 GMT

Naming the trophy as the Kapil-Imran trophy would be ideal, honoring the best all round players from both sides...in case it is to be named after a single person, it would then have to be someone associated with both countries in some way or the other...this would necessarily mean someone who has played for pre partition undivided india...naming the trophy as the mohammed nissar trophy would be ideal under this criterion...mohammed nissar played in india's very first test and was a fearsome fast bowler during his time. Even though his international career ended before partition, he did play domestic cricket in pakistan (where he migrated after partition) for southern punjab until 1954.

POSTED BY
ejsiddiqui
on | January 9, 2013, 4:38 GMT

I would go for Imran-Kapil Trophy. These are the two of the best which respective countries have produced. An India Pakistan match is nothing less than the best from both the sides.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:36 GMT

Thanks much for sharing your thoughts and insight, Mr. Guha! I'm a Pakistani who, like millions across the world, feels captivated by the charm and allure of the game of cricket. As you opined, naming the Ind-Pak trophy is indeed a great idea, and naming it after Sachin Ramesh is for sure a tribute to his, and his generation's, cricketing legacy. Peace! P.S: Loved your idea of Lata-Noor Jehan trophy! Indeed a blissful commemoration of two shining stars!

POSTED BY
marutijha
on | January 9, 2013, 3:13 GMT

So more often than Not this trophy will be gathering dust on shelves of one of the nation .

POSTED BY
Ashish_514
on | January 9, 2013, 3:29 GMT

Sachin may have defined the cricket played between the two countries but Miandad has defined the rivalry. Though we Indians didn't like him, Javed Miandad cannot be ignored when we talk about Indo-Pak cricket. Tendulkar in general has defined cricket in India but Miandad was best known for both his antics and performances in India-Pakistan matches. And anyway no one in Pakistan is going to agree to name it after just an Indian player even though they like him, so what would be better than naming it after the two best performers in India-Pak ties. But given the recent visa controversy, I don't see that happening due to politics. He may be a relative of Dawood, but deserves some recognition for his contribution. He made those matches lively, and though we hated him, it made us even more desparate to want India to win.

POSTED BY
loveupak
on | January 9, 2013, 3:36 GMT

even though i think it is a great idea, infact it would be an honour for us too...but i don't think the masses of pakistan will agree with this, i hope they do!

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 3:43 GMT

i,don,t think so mr. writer, the most influential cricketer ,produced by sub- continent is none other than great living legend i,e imran khan, so it is fitting to name trophy after him . This legend has really defied the fast bowiling in sub-continent ,it was due to this legend ,we seen bowlers like two w,s, and ultimate pace man shoiab and also this great man was inventioner of one of the great weapon of pace bowlong i,e reverse swing ,last but not least a great great leader and most charismstic look . """Cheers from j& k."""

POSTED BY
getsetgopk
on | January 9, 2013, 3:54 GMT

I knew the Indian writers are biased but even I did not see that coming haha. I mean is there even a pinch of seriousness to that argument? If you are going to sell Tendulkar, sell it to someone else. And here is why, between 1989 and 1999, he didn't play test cricket against Pak, that was the peak era of Wasim and Waqar, the best bowlers of the time, Tendulkars test credentials are seriously missing there. The 18 odd tests he played against Pak, he averaged a pathetic 42, if you are going to name the trophy after one individual then name it after Javed Miandad, 28 tests at an average of 67. Tendulkar was an ordinary player against pak, his average is good against the Aussies so sell it them. I am however ok with Imran Kapil trophy even though there is a serious imbalance in the quality and caliber of the two cricketers but thats the best India has ever had. Imran Khan is the greatest cricketer of all times. Kapil should take it as an honor.

POSTED BY
RockcityGuy
on | January 9, 2013, 3:57 GMT

Seconded...!!!!(if it matters at all...:-D)

POSTED BY
0NBH
on | January 9, 2013, 3:57 GMT

What a stupid article. The only two examples the author has of trophies named for single players, Worrell and d'Oliveira, were for people whose achievements or legacy went far beyond the cricket field, breaking down race barriers in all the cricketing world. Tendulkar is a great player, but no more than that. Pakistan have had great players too - Imran, for one, is arguably greater than Sachin. If the author thinks fans would argue over the order of Gandhi and Jinnah (or Jinnah and Gandhi), does he really think they'll settle for a name so obviously biased to one of the teams? As a neutral England fan, I can see that's ridiculous. Or does he just not realise that outside India, Tendulkar isn't a living God, just another of the game's greats?

If you really want a cricketing name for the trophy, try someone who has a place in the history of both of the sides, not just one. AH Kardar, who played for India, captained Pakistan, and advanced the Asian game as an administrator.

POSTED BY
asaduzzaman-khan
on | January 9, 2013, 4:07 GMT

Imran-Kapil trophy would be the best idea.

POSTED BY
on | January 9, 2013, 4:07 GMT

Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Aaqib Javeed, and even Saeed Anwar, Inzimam, and Afridi are some of the names that crop up the mind when you talk about an Indo-Pak series. This is another biased article by a Sachin fan. Sachin's contribution comes nowhere near Javeed Miandad and Imran Khan when you talk about an Indo-Pak series. If there is one guy from India who can be credited to turn the tide in India's favor, it is Sehwag whose knock of 300 in Multan led to India winning its first ever series in Pakistan. There is also that innings of 96 played by Gavaskar in a losing cause in his lost test. There is the 10-wicket haul of Anil Kumble. Similarly, Sachin's knock of 98 in 2003 World Cup, which was aided by the wayward bowling of Shoib Akhtar. Sachin is a more talented batsman, but does not come anywhere near to Javed Miandad when it comes to match winning abilities and playing under crisis. Imran, Miandad, Inzi, Sehwag, and even Kapil are greater match winners than Sachin ever was.

POSTED BY
Mr-Charisma
on | January 9, 2013, 4:10 GMT

Nobody has been as influential as the great imran khan in sub-continent cricket....so if the trophy has to be named after a single player then it definitely has to be imran khan.....if the trophy has to be named after two players then imran-kapil trophy,wasim-sachin trophy or maindad-gavaskar trophy seem to be good choices....two trophies sound more reasonable...one for ODI'd and one for tests....